OTOROHANGA.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 199, 28 March 1913, Page 3

OTOROHANGA.

A deputation was formed on Monday night to take advantage of the Hon. Mr Herries’ visit to Te Kuiti, to bring several matters of local interest before him. Arrangements were made to meet the Minister in the train, and to travel through to Te Kuiti with him. The Minister’s attention was drawn to the necessity of a verandah to the railway station, an extension of the goods shed to cope with the increasing goods traffic, and a shelter shed to hold cream cans. It was pointed out that from 50 to 60 cans of cream are daily sent north and south from the Otorohanga station, and that the cans have to stand on the platform exposed to the sun while waiting for the train. A request was also made to have the Main Trunk express to stop once a week each way. Mr Herries said that he would consult his staff with regard to the requests. On the train the deputation went more fully into matters, and also asked that a loan of £2OO, being 10 per cent on the former loan of £2OOO for street improvements, be granted as it was urgently needed to finish off one road, and so put the whole township in good order for the winter. The Minister stated that a fresh application for a loan would require to be made to the commissioners. The deputation suggested that the Native Town Board should be put upon the same footing as an

ordinary town board so that they would get the usual subsidy on rales collected. At present the Otorohanga Native Town Council does not get any subsidy. They also wished the Town Council to be granted the power to deal with and collect a dog tax. The Minister stated that he would make a note of the points. He intended introducing a “wash-up” Bill with regard to native affairs next session, and he thought the matter would be remedied. The deputation stated that the Otorohanga to Waitomo Caves valley road was formed and metalled for a distance of six miles, and they wished assistance towards getting the remaining three miles opened for traffic. The road was already laid off on the map, and when opened it would make the shortest route and joined the Hangatiki road just below the Waitomo Caves. It would also provide the shortest stock route for Marakopa and Putaki districts and would open up an immense area of agricultural country. Mr Herries said he would bring the matter before the proper department. The deputation consisted of Messrs F. Whyte (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Breen (vice-president), W. Vicary J. Ormsby, J. W. Ellis, R. Gregg. Messrs Why te and F. Forster (secretary) attended the banquet as delegates from the Otorohanga Chamber of Commerce.